Segun Atanda/
More revelations emerged today on how a most wanted kidnapper, arrested in Lagos yesterday, spent the fortune he made from the evil enterprise.
Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, aka Evans, and members of his gang were paraded at the police headquarters in Lagos alongside arms and ammunition allegedly seized from them by the ACP Abba Kyari led team.
The police also released to Newsmakersng pictures of two mansions worth over N300million in Magodo Phase 2, allegedly owned by 36-year-old Evans.
“These are the two houses of the most notorious kidnapper, Evans, in Magodo Estate, Lagos. He has more mansions in Accra, Ghana, including two four-bedroom duplexes, exotic cars, expensive watches, and jewelry among other things.” the police told Newsmakersng.
A woman, Ogechi Amadi, was also identified as a member of the gang.
Evans was arrested in his mansion in Magodo yesterday in a sting operation by Joint Police Special Forces including the Intelligence Response Team, the Lagos State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Technical and Intelligence Unit of the Force under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Owoseni.
The police described Evans, a native of Nnewi, “as the vicious leader of a highly organised kidnap-for-ransom syndicate and criminal gang terrorizing and responsible for several kidnap of notable/prominent Nigerians in Lagos State, including the Western, Eastern, South-South and some Northern states”.
Most of the victims were found to have parted with $1million each.
The cases mentioned by the police included that of James Uduji, who was kidnapped close to his house at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, late last year. He was held for six weeks. He paid $1million.
Police say: “Chief Raymond Okoye–Odu-Na–Ichida was kidnapped in 2015. He paid $1million as ransom, when he was held captive for two months
“Uche Okoroafor, a trader at Alaba, was kidnapped in 2015 and held captive for three months until he paid $1million.
“Elias Ukachukwu was kidnapped in November 2015. He paid $1million. Date of release unknown, but it was gathered that his abductors were insisting on another $1million claiming family members were rude to them during negotiation.”
Police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh said during the parade today: “After an intense gun battle that lasted several hours, Evans and his gang were overpowered by the Superior Fire Power of the Joint Special Forces and he was arrested at Magodo Estate, in Ikeja, Lagos.
“He was first declared wanted in August, 2013, when he masterminded the attempted kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianudo, the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors in Festac, Lagos, where a policeman attached to the victim foiled the attack and killed three of Evans gang members but also lost his life in the process. Some of Evans gang members were subsequently arrested, but he regrouped, with several gangs and became more vicious and unleashed terror in the mentioned states.
” Evans and his gang keep their victims, kidnapped in Lagos Area, at House Number 21, Prophet Asaye Close, New Igando, Lagos State until the ransom is paid to him.
“Ransoms are paid to him in millions of dollars; some victims are kept for upward of six to seven months until the last penny is paid. He never reduces the ransom. No member of his gang knows his house.
“In every kidnap attack he has a separate armed group that kidnap victim with him and has another armed group who takes over the victim to their hideouts and prevent them from escaping. The members of the two groups don’t know each other. They complied with Evans instructions.
“Evans and the dreaded vampire who died during a gun duel with the Police Special Forces led by IRT and Imo State Police Command in a forest in River State early this year are axis of evil in kidnappings in Southern Nigerian states and some Northern states. This is a huge success for the Nigeria Police Force. The Force will build on this success and continue to prevent kidnap cases and criminality generally in the country, and ensure prompt detection of those crimes that cannot be prevented, and also ensure that perpetrators are arrested, investigated and prosecuted.”
Evans told reporters that he chose to collect ransom in American dollars to be different from other kidnappers.
He claimed that he started kidnapping in 2015, after he left his spare parts business.
He also claimed that he lost N20million to customs officers, which made him to leave his trade.
Other victims listed by the police are:
* Mbarikatta William Uboma, 35, kidnapped June 16, 2012, at about 11.am on his arrival from Hungary while he was close to his house. He was in his Toyota Car 2010 model in company with his brother, who was to drop him at his house when a Passat car emerged from nowhere and blocked his car. They blindfolded him and forcefully abducted him to an unknown destination. They later demanded a ransom of N10million. However, N2million was later paid while they collected other personal accessories. He was finally dropped at Okota on the third day.
* Paul Cole, 34, from Ohafia in Abia State. A Director with Ocean Glory Commodities, Apapa, kidnapped August 3rd, 2012 at Festac Town together with his General Manager, Jude Ugoje and another staff, Piriye Gogo. They were taken to an unknown destination. They demanded for N10million. On August 6th, 2012, they collected N5million ransom at Mazamaza area of Lagos.
* Mohammed Jamal, 22, a Lebanese, kidnapped on August 19, 2012 at Ajah by three armed men, taken away blindfolded. N7million ransom was later paid at Ojo Barracks.
* Kingsley Nwokenta, 34, kidnapped September 19, 2012, after he left Lebanana Bar in Festac at Mile Two-Under Bridge. Later, N1.5million was paid as ransom, while they made away with his black Toyota Venza and other accessories.
* Anthony Ozoanidobi, 41, kidnapped in October 10th 2012 along Marwa Road, Satellite Town. Ransom of N1.5million was paid, after which he was released at Apple Junction, Amuwo-Odofin.
* Leo Abraham, 58, kidnapped August 20, 2012. Paid ransom of N5million and was later released along Badagry Road, Lagos.
* Ojukwu Cosmas, 45, sells Toyota parts at Aspanda Trade Fair Complex. He was kidnapped on January 21, 2016, at Festac Town. It was not clear when and how he was released.
* Francis Umeh also a spare parts dealer at Aspanda was kidnapped in July 2016 at Raji Rasaki Estate. He was released after two months in captivity.
* The last victim is Mr Donatus Duru. He was kidnapped in Ilupeju, in February 2017, and fortunately the man escaped from the Igando House where Evans kept him with his boys last month.
The members of Evans’ gang were identified as:
* Felix Chinemerem, 36-year-old native of Arichukwu Ohafia LGA of Abia State. He was second in command to Evans.
* Nwosu Chikodi Chukwuma aka Sudo, 42, is third in Command to Evans. He has over 20 years experience in armed robbery and about 8 years experience in kidnapping.
*Uchechukwu Amadi, a native of Anambra State, a longtime Evans’ boy and head of the detention Camp in Igando.
* Ogechi Amadi is the woman who rented the house and cooks for the kidnappers and their victims in the camp.
* Suoyo Paul aka Nwana is a 42-year-old native of Bayelsa State. Members of his gang were identified as the suppliers of rifles and ammunition.
* Ikenna Emeka, 28, is a native of Anambra State.
Jimoh told reporters that during interrogation and preliminary investigation, Evans and his gang confessed to all the kidnappings linked to them and made confessional statements on the various roles they played in the commission of the crimes.
“They will be charged to court on completion of investigation,” he said.
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